BUDGET 2026 DEBATE CONCLUDES AMID HEATED EXCHANGES, FOCUS ON MALAYSIA'S ASEAN LEADERSHIP
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament concluded its fourth week with spirited debates ranging from fiscal matters to geopolitical issues, as the policy-level debate on the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 wrapped up on Tuesday.
This was followed by the winding-up sessions by ministers from 14 ministries beginning Wednesday, including the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, the Home Ministry, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Transport, and the Prime Minister’s Department.
According to the Parliament’s calendar, the winding-up for Budget 2026 at the policy stage is scheduled for four days, from Oct 29 to Nov 4, before proceeding to the committee-level debate, which will continue for 14 days starting Nov 5.
Also drawing the attention of Members of Parliament was Malaysia’s success in hosting the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings from Oct 26 to 28. The event was hailed as a moment of pride for the nation and a testament to Malaysia’s capability to shoulder its responsibilities as ASEAN Chair.
Due to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s attendance at the summit, the Ministerial Question Time (MQT) session allocated to the Prime Minister last Tuesday was replaced with the regular MQT session with other ministers.
However, during yesterday’s MQT, Anwar addressed the House to share Malaysia’s achievements at the high-profile summit, emphasising that every meeting with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, had been fully utilised.
Anwar said his engagements with Trump, both official and were fully utilised to push for a comprehensive solution to the Gaza issue in addition to discussing various issues and strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation.
He explained that the term “comprehensive solution” or “comprehensive settlement” reflects the need for a lasting and inclusive resolution to the Gaza conflict, not merely a ceasefire that fails to acknowledge the sovereign rights of the people of Gaza and Palestine.
"Officially, I raised this issue three times and received media coverage. Meanwhile, in The Beast (the official vehicle of the US President), it was a personal one-on-one conversation.
"On all three occasions, I emphasised the need for a 'comprehensive solution to the Gaza and Palestinian problems'," he said.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that the Malaysia-United States Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) was signed during the ASEAN Summit to attract investment and strengthen trade ties with the United States.
He clarified that the agreement includes an exit clause, dismissing claims that Malaysia was surrendering its trade sovereignty to the US as baseless.
Earlier, during the ministerial briefing session on Wednesday, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz elaborated on the ART agreement, reaffirming Malaysia’s neutrality and its whole-of-government approach in safeguarding national interests and sovereignty throughout the negotiation process.
He stressed that Malaysia’s negotiating team remained firm on key “red line” issues, especially Bumiputera rights, government procurement policies, and full equity liberalisation in strategic sectors such as energy and telecommunications.
"This is a matter of national dignity and sovereignty. As Malaysians who love the country, the government will never allow our sovereignty to be violated," he said.
Despite the substantive policy discussions, the week’s proceedings were also marked by several heated exchanges between government and opposition MPs, including remarks by some lawmakers deemed disrespectful to civil servants.
In response, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul warned that strict action would be taken against any MP who made statements insulting to public servants.
Meanwhile, the Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Bill 2025 was tabled for its first reading, aiming to expand social security protection to workers involved in non-work-related accidents occurring outside working hours.
The Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament is for 35 days, concluding on Dec 4.
-- BERNAMA
